3 Types Of Snapping Hip Syndrome
A snapping hip syndrome, medically known as coxa saltans, refers to a condition that manifests itself when there is a snapping sensation felt in your groin area while you walk or run. This occurs due to the appearance of what is scientifically termed as “paradoxical movement” of one of your hip joint(s) while rotating while it moves with another. If you feel you are experiencing snapping hip contact New York Sports Medicine Institute,a hip doctor NYC.
A hip doctor NYC states that this condition generally appears in people who are over thirty years of age, and it is more common with males than females because the male pelvis has a wider sub-pelvic space for their hip bones to move through. People who participate in physical activities like walking, jogging or running that involve sudden hard acceleration due to sprinting, can be affected by this syndrome.
The three types of snapping hip are classified on the basis of what they are caused by. They are:
Type 1 – Snapping is heard in the anterior or front part of your hip. Type one is most common with runners and sprinters, because it’s results from a tendon that rubs over your pubic bone (pubic symphysis). The snapping occurs when the tendon slides over the bony protrusion of your pubic bone.
Type 2 – Snapping can be heard in the back part of your hip, near where your leg attaches to your pelvis. This is generally caused by a snapping iliotibial band. The iliotibial band is a tendon that runs along the outer part of your hip and thigh. A snapping iliotibial band is most commonly seen in runners, bicyclists, and soccer players.
Type 3 – Snapping Is Heard In Both The Front And Back Of Your Hip. This occurs when a tendon from your gluteus muscle attaches to a bony arch on the outside of your pelvis (inferior pubic ramus). This snapping results while rotating while the gluteus medius moves with another.
Simple exercises that your hip doctor NYC feel you can do to stretch and strengthen your pelvic muscles may help resolve a type 1 or 2 snapping hip. As for a Type 3, the best way is through surgery. Some of these exercises might even be done at home, without going to a gym.
1) Pelvic Tilt: Lay on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat. Relax your hip muscles and tighten your abdominal muscles. Now, try to flatten the small of your back against the floor by tightening the pelvic muscles. Hold it for thirty seconds and then release. Repeat three times a day, with each repetition lasting thirty seconds each time.
2) Standing Hip Flexor Stretch: Starting Position: Stand up straight with your back and arms against a wall. Now, slowly move one foot towards your buttocks until you feel a stretch on the front of the hip. Hold it for thirty seconds and repeat three times on both sides.
2) Superman Exercise: Lay down on the floor so that you face downwards as if you are an upside down “U”. Lift your legs and arms at the same time, without bending your elbows or knees. Hold it for ten seconds. Repeat ten times a day.
3) Hip Abduction: Lay on the floor flat on your back with both of your knee bent and one foot on top of the other ankle. Keep your back flat against the floor and tighten your abdominal muscles. Now, slowly move one leg outwards by lifting it as high as you can without arching your back or moving any other part of the body. Hold the pose for ten seconds and repeat ten times a day.
In other cases, it might be the result of one leg being shorter than the other or people who have a flat feet are also at risk of experiencing this condition. In rare instances, certain diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis may cause this type of snapping due to joint instability, where bones or tendons rub over each other in an abnormal manner.
In these cases, you might be experiencing a snapping hip when your leg rotates outward when it is extended behind the body while standing or walking. In addition, the snapping could also occur when rotating inward while at a side-lying position or in a sitting position with rotated hips. People often feel a “popping” or “snapping” sensation when this happens.
The exact cause behind coxa saltans has not yet been identified by the medical world, but it is believed that an injury to your leg muscles, tendons, ligaments or bones either during birth or later due to sports injuries might be the main culprit. Other factors like flat feet, leg length differences, arthritis or dislocations of the hip might also be behind this condition.
The best way to get rid of coxa saltans is to opt for the conservative approach by using non-surgical methods.
1) Try Resting And Limiting Your Activities: The first thing you can do to help ease your snapping hip syndrome and the resultant pain is try resting and limiting your activities.
2) Take Pain Medication: If you are experiencing significant pain because of coxa saltans, it is suggested that you visit with a hip doctor NYC who might recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications for temporary relief.
3) Use Crutches And Avoid Unnecessary Movement: In case the pain is too much to bear, consider using crutches so you can limit your movement and avoid unnecessary activity.
4) Avoid Repetitive Movement : Repetitive movements tend to aggravate coxa saltans and cause it to be more painful. If you have a job or a hobby that involves repetitive movement, you might have to stop doing those things until the condition improves.
5) Physical Therapy Might Help: In addition to pain medications and limiting activities, your hip doctor NYC might also recommend physical therapy so you can strengthen the muscles around your affected hip joint. If these conservative remedies don’t help with alleviating coxa saltans, surgery might be an option.
Contact NYSMI today to help treat your snapping hip!